Govt to review double-track rail project, says Loke

KUALA LUMPUR: The second phase of the KTM Klang Valley Double Track (KVDT) upgrading project will be looked into, due to its high cost, said Anthony Loke.  

The Transport Minister said the upgrading cost of the second phase is estimated to be RM5.9bil.  

"It is too high and the tenders were awarded through direct negotiations and direct tender.  

"This translates to RM53mil for every kilometre. It is really high and the Government doesn't agree with this," said Loke in a press conference after a briefing session with KTM Berhad on its performance and ongoing projects on Monday.  

Loke said the completion of the second phase project is also estimated to be seven years.  

"The Ministry won't agree to this. We cannot stomach this, seven years of delay for the commuters."  

The second phase is from KL to Klang, Salak South to Seremban and Simpang Port Klang to Klang.  

The entire phase, said Loke, is 110km.  

The first phase of the KVDT upgrading project will be completed in November, 2019.  

The ongoing upgrading works for the first phase is the reason why there have been delays in the commuter train schedules, said Loke.  

"One track has been closed so the delays are between KL Station to Simpang Port Klang and Rawang, so there are no double tracks for these routes," he added.  

This will cause KTM commuter users to face delays from the usual frequency of 15 minutes at peak hours to 30 minutes, and from 30 minutes at non-peak hours to 60 minutes.